Retired teachers seek Gov. Eno’s intervention in pension payment delays

Stanley Ihedigbo

Retired primary school teachers in Akwa Ibom State have made a passionate appeal to Governor Pastor Umo Eno to ensure the timely payment of their pensions, gratuities, and salaries, amid concerns that the issue of local government autonomy may disrupt these payments.

The urgent call to action comes from an enlarged meeting of retired teachers and their next of kin, who are worried about the delay in payment of their entitlements.

The group in an 8-point resolution arrived at during an enlarged meeting held in Uyo over the weekend maintained that a situation where the pension is paid from the 21st of a new month is an unwholesome development as it affects the well-being of the retirees. And should completely discontinue.

The session in a statement endorsed by Chairman, Rev. Dr. Felix Ime Cookeyand Secretary, Hon Emmanuel Udoaka, decried the non-implementation N32,000.00 only to pensioners in the state.

According to them, “It is three months now after the minimum wage of N80,000.00 only was paid to serving workers.

They added, “The government was implored to conduct the necessary verification without further delay for the interest of these aged people.

“The meeting in-session showed a heartfelt appreciation to the government for the paying of 7.5% pension contribution to the contributors and requested the Government to increase the number of Local Government Areas per batch to ten”.

They further highlighted ” We observed the continuous withholding of unpaid pension arrears as very harmful to the affected retirees. It was noted that these people retired within the last administration and have suffered from great hardship for a good ten years and above now with ten months and above unpaid pension arrears.

“We appeal to our Passionate Governor to alleviate the sufferings of these people who have been legitimately calling on the Government since 2015. It was noted that only Primary School Retirees are owed unpaid pension arrears in this state.

” We also noted with dismay no payment of the 2013 and 2014 leave grants respectively. And pleaded with the Governor for intervention.

” We the Retired School Teachers and the next of kin once again thanked the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (PhD) for the love, care and support given to teachers retirees and indeed all Pensioners in the State.

“The meeting in-session having critically observed the Governor’s goodwill towards the plights of Retired Teachers (Living and Late) had unanimously moved a vote of Implicit Confidence on as him the Executive Governor and pledged an unflinching support to his administration.

They also resolved to support his future political aspiration come 2027 while appreciating the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, and the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien for showing great concern for Retired Primary School Teacher issues.